You shall go to the football
Celtic supporter feared he’d miss Euro clash after collision with star
A DISABLED Celtic fan whose wheelchair was broken in a collision with a player will attend tonight’s Champions League match after help from the Record and our readers.
Tony McKenna, 58, was accidentally knocked over by Parkhead midfielder Ryan Christie following a touchline challenge in a friendly on Saturday.
The incident, during the second half of the match against Standard Liege saw Christie careering into the South Stand.
Tony, from Livingston, who had been in the front row, wasn’t seriously injured but his wheelchair was damaged and he thought he would be unable to make tonight’s match.
Following a plea in yesterday’s Record for a replacement chair, he will take up his usual place at Celtic Park after a football-mad family came to his rescue.
Several readers offered to help, including fellow Celtic fan Pauline Stewart from Airdrie.
Pauline offered Tony a wheelchair that belonged to her mum Margaret Drein, who passed away recently. She said: “Our family is Celtic-daft and as soon as I read about Tony’s situation I thought we could help out.
“I wouldn’t like to see anyone struggle to get about and my mum was always keen to help others out.
“She believed one good turn deserved another, that was her way of looking at life.”
Pauline’s son Michael, 25, drove the 40-mile round-trip to deliver the wheelchair last night.
Tony said: “I was determined to get to the game. The only days I really get out are going to the football.
“I just want to say thanks to Pauline and Michael for helping me out.”
He suffered a sore neck and was attended to by paramedics and the club doctor but feared he would miss tonight’s game against Alashkert.